Faced with the resurgence of poisoning, Sweden has suspended the sale of paracetamol in supermarkets. In fact, self-medication presents risks that are often underestimated.
Sweden announced on Wednesday the immediate suspension of the sale of paracetamol tablets in supermarkets. A decision motivated by the explosion (+ 40% in less than four years) of cases of intoxication linked to too much consumption of these drugs.
A sensitive debate
These elements revive a sensitive debate in France. In December 2013, the Competition Authority issued a report favorable to the sale of paracetamol in supermarkets in order to break the monopoly of pharmacies on their sale. Marc-Edouard Leclerc, CEO of the Leclerc group, had campaigned in this direction. Moreover, the French seem to be in favor of it. According to an Ipsos poll published in October, two out of three favor the marketing of non-prescription drugs in supermarkets.
In the fall of 2014, the measure was seriously considered by the Minister of the Economy, Emmanuel Macron. But faced with the outcry of pharmacists, the government has abandoned the idea of including in its bill “growth and purchasing power” the exit of the pharmacy of paracetamol. At the time, health professionals had rightly argued that the sale of drugs in supermarkets would lead to misuse, overconsumption and drug poisoning.
Short and long term risks
In fact, the consumption of paracetamol, the best-selling drug in the world, is not trivial. Its interactions with other molecules are still poorly identified. Combined with alcohol consumption, prolonged consumption can cause irreversible damage to the liver. However, it seems that patients tend to trivialize its use and minimize the risks of these interactions. In France, paracetamol is one of the main causes of poisoning, and the leading reason for liver transplantation for severe acute hepatitis.
Even at a therapeutic dose (3-4 g / day), daily and prolonged consumption would be associated with risks of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal disorders, according to a meta-analysis published last March. In this work, the authors assert that the long-term adverse effects of paracetamol remain largely underestimated.
.
